8/25/2009

Integrity Toys Announces Two New AvantGuard Dolls

Two new 16 inch AvantGuard dolls from Integrity Toys will join the ranks shortly. One is called Attention! and is an exclusive to Chelsea's Collector Cottage in Australia. This doll is limited to 300 worldwide. The retail price is $304. AUD which equals US $253.91. The least expensive shipping to the United States is $45.30 AUD or US $37.85. The doll will cost me $291.76! YIKES.The other doll is called No Exaggeration. This gal has caused a bit of a stir because of the pants she is wearing. Whether they're called harem or dhoti pants, they're "out there" and they are freaking some collectors out. What I don't understand is that collectors seem to want high style and when they get it it scares them. She is priced at $220. and is limited to 400 dolls worldwide. She can be ordered from any AvantGuard dealer. With shipping from my dealer who is in a neighboring state, she will cost me about $232. That's about $60 less than the one from Australia. The Oz exclusive itself before shipping is nearly $40 more. I can't figure out why. No Exaggeration's fashion is more complex and interesting.Some collectors have been commenting on the uber-colorful eye screening. The same complaint is heard with Fashion Royalty dolls, too. They're saying the doll is not as versatile. Does every doll have to wear shades of ochre and gray? It sounds funny coming from me but I've learned to wait until I see the doll in person. The change in my perception began with Aphrodisiac. I thought her eyes were freaky and that she looked like a zombie with her huge curly wig and black rings around her eyes. I never did get to liking that wig but the doll herself became beautiful and ultra-fashionable in my eyes after a short while. When the last set of basic Fashion Royalty dolls came out, I thought Vanessa looked diseased because of the dark blue/black lips. Now, redressed and with her hair crimped, she's one of the most stylish of my Vanessas.

I've also heard complaints about the lack of extra clothing for the AvantGuards. There has been only one fashion created for them so that's a valid point. When I compare what Tonner puts out for his new lines of dolls to what Integrity puts out, the difference is night and day. When Tonner created the character DeeAnna Denton he put out two basic dolls in lingerie, two dressed dolls and four outfits. The next season he put out three basic DeeAnnas in bathing suits, two dressed dolls and four separate fashions. This season there is one basic DeeAnna in a bathing suit. A new character, Peggy Harcourt, has been added and comes in two basic versions. There's one dressed Peggy and two separate outfits. Collectors cannot complain about a lack of support for this doll's body type.

What are we seeing here? We often hear the excuse from Integrity Toys that they are a small company. Yet they keep putting out line after line of new dolls. How small are they? How does a company grow? Not every doll that Robert Tonner releases is a success but he still keeps going with creativity and daring. Robert's famous quote is "Believe in the Power of Play." Is Integrity's theory, "Believe in the Power of Display?" or "Put it on a Shelf and Go Away?"

Anyway, I tell all the "...no clothes for AvantGuard..." complainers that almost every single Gene fashion, the Madame Alexander Alex clothing and now Tonner's Antoinette fashions, fit AvantGuard dolls. There's no shortage of clothing for them at all. Sybarite items are a bit loose but can be pinned. I've seen them in Tyler clothes as well. Most of Alex's, Gene's and Antoinette's shoes fit, too. There's no nekkid AGs around these parts.

17 comments:

One thing I absolutely love is that the Avant Guards DO fit in Madame Alexander clothing. I love Madame Alexander's designs, but not so much the Alex dolls---excluding Jadde. Thrilled that my AG girls can enjoy my collection of clothing!!

Hi Terri, I saw your blog on my doll, thanks! The difference in pricing is reflective of the HORRIBLE customs, taxes, import duty (and then tax on the whole amount again including freight & duties). The US dealers pay approx a nominal shipping fee per doll to them where I pay more then $9 or $10 per doll. So that makes up the difference. Sad from a commonwealth country but taxes are part of that deal. Thanks Lisa from Chelsea's Collector Cottage

These girls are gorgeous! Lovely, lean lines with no stubby/chubby forearms a la Antoinette.It's obvious that these dolls were created by someone with an actual connection to the contemporary fashion scene as evidenced by the noticable lack of ruffles or throw-pillow trim.Not for everyone...only the discerning.Great blog - I've got you bookmarked.

Great article! Even though I collect the less exspensive fashion dolls, I've always been a fan of the more pricey ones. I think that the pants that the No Exaggeration fashion doll is wearing is very nice and unique!

HELLO TO ALL, IM ABOUT TO RECIEVE AN OOAK AVANGUARD DOLL , SHES BEAUTIFULL AND HER WIGS TOO ..BUT I WOULD LIKE TO ROOT HER HAIR.. SO I WONDER IF I CAN USE THE SAME EMTHOD AS FR.. SOME ONE HELP ME PLEASE...AHH AND ALLSO CAN I TAKE THE HEAD OFF LIKE THE OTHER.. THANKS.

Anonymous: I am guessing you can root the head...of course you will have to make the holes yourself.I've never removed an AG head. You might want to post that question on one of the doll boards like Prego.T

Hello terry , thanks for your coments..im about to buy hair for my ooak avantguard doll and i would like to know , wich is the best hair i can root her..im thinking in human hair, angora mohair or saran hair. what do you think terri?.. i have to tell you that i like to play with my dolls , with their hair so thats why its important to me that she has silky soft hair...

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